Believers & the Problem of Sin

In my last post I stated that Romans is the letter you need to read to get the basics of living by faith.  The reason being that those whose righteousness is by faith must also live by faith if they want to please God and avoid wrath (Romans 1:16-19).  Consider Romans 3:21-23 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

The only Righteousness that matters is that which is imputed by God through faith in Jesus Christ.  It doesn’t matter if you’re a Jew or Gentile, there is no difference.  But don’t overlook v. 23.  All have sinned means all are guilty and in need of righteousness.  But notice the 2nd clause “and fall short of the glory of God” is in the present tense.  The sentence structure shows this to be a factual statement and means we continue to fall short.  In other words, we never, by our own efforts, measure up to God’s expectations. 

The good news is in Romans 3:24 (all) “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” All fall short but all can be freely justified by Grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  Redemption covers the entire package of what you received when you believe in Jesus Christ for the gift of everlasting life.  What Paul wrote in Romans 5:9 & 10 is how we deal with the issue of continuing to fall short.  But first I need to point out another factual reality for those who have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ.   

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. You may not be at peace with yourself, but God is at peace with all who are in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 1:6 “to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”   We have peace and He has accepted us in the Beloved, Jesus Christ.  This is the result of His love and grace towards us, not anything we have done.  Because it originates in God, we can’t change it.  The question for us is do we believe what God has said?  That is what living by faith is all about, taking Him at His word.  Resting in the truth of His promise.   

As for not measuring up, He has made provision for that as well.  1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  As John explained in the first 4 verses of 1 John, he too was writing to believers.  He is addressing the same basic issue Paul was in Romans.  He just used different terminology.  God is not pleased with our sin and it can ruin our fellowship with Him.  His promise is that if we confess our sin to Him He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  That is a key part of living by faith. 

Believing and obeying God’s commands is how we are to live now.